3 Unrestricted Free Agents New Jersey Devils Should Avoid Signing

Jacob Markstrom

The New Jersey Devils need to sure up their goaltending situation in the offseason. Devils fans know that Mackenzie Blackwood is their goaltender of the future. Realistically, Blackwood will start 50-55 games for the Devils next season. The question remains, who will give the Devils stability in between the pipes when Blackwood doesn’t?

Can the Devils bank on Cory Schnieder, who has battled consistency issues, or look to invest in a free agent? If there is temptation to go the free agent route, the Devils should avoid signing Jacob Markstrom. He has been enjoying a solid season for the surprising Vancouver Canucks, one that could earn himself a nice payday if he hits the open market.

While he is more than a competent 1B to Blackwood’s 1A, the Devils would have to pay a premium price to land him. He has had a career resurgence since his early career struggles in Florida. Markstrom has never been an elite goaltender, much less top five at his position. He has never had a .920% save percentage in a season in which he has started more than 10 games, and his career high in shutouts in a season is only two. In his 11 year NHL career, he has only five shutouts. There is a premium price put on goaltenders, and he could get four or five years and a six plus million AAV. That is just too steep of a price to pay for a goalie who is 30, and the continued development of Blackwood. There are cheaper options to target, such as Robin Lehner if teams are shy to give him a long term contract, or Thomas Greiss.